Anxiety and depression disorders are common mental health conditions that can have a long-lasting effect on a person’s health, ability to work, social life, and overall well-being. Pharmaceutical drugs are usually prescribed to help a person treat or manage these conditions and many of these drugs have side-effects such as mood swings, sleeplessness, sexual dysfunction, etc. CBD is a natural alternative and has shown promise in initial studies as a treatment for both anxiety and depression while causing fewer side-effects and some people.
Interest in the potential mental health benefits of cannabidiol or CBD has grown tremendously over recent years and many studies have been carried out. CBD is the chemical compound found in the Cannabis Sativa plant, otherwise known as Hemp or Marijuana. While CBD is similar to THC, the two compounds act differently in the body.
Cannabis contains more than 80 compounds known as cannabinoids. The prominent cannabinoid is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive substance that produces the ‘high’ characteristic of marijuana. On the other hand, CBD is purported to have a vast range of health benefits without psychoactive effects. CBD products can however contain THC, which if you live in a non-legal recreational state, you will need to obtain a medical marijuana card. If you reside in New York and seek a medical card, Green Health Docs can quickly help with the entire evaluation process to approval.
While one is looking into using CBD for therapeutic purposes it’s important to understand that the research around CBD is limited. There have been numerous studies in the last decade, but most of them were done using animals. This means that the possible benefits of CBD for anxiety and depression in humans are mostly speculative as of now.
Still, CBD does appear to have numerous benefits for both anxiety and depression dealing with things like cognitive impairment, discomfort before public speaking, and insomnia. CBD has also been proven to be helpful for conditions potentially related to depression such as chronic pain.
As noted in this article from Kyro, CBD is generally safe, depending on the different kinds of additives. Pure cannabidiol is safe for human consumption having just a few side-effects. The World Health Organization states that there is no evidence of health-related issues linked to the use of any dose of CBD.
Experts believe that CBD is a potential benefit for depression or related to the positive impact it has on the serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin impacts several functions in the body including a person’s mental and emotional state and feelings of happiness or well-being. Keeping serotonin levels balanced in the body is often a key therapy for people suffering from depression.
Results from various studies indicate that CBD appears to act as an antidepressant and anti-anxiety come bound in animal models of depression. The compound exhibits a clear anti-stress effect after both short-term and long-term use. It has also been noted that the compound worked without activating the brains and the cannabinoid receptors directly which indicates that there is less risk of CBD becoming habit-forming or addictive.
Research has also indicated that CBD has been promised as a fast-acting antidepressant. Most antidepressant medications take weeks to start working while CBD has a quick and sustained antidepressant-like effect. CBD may also result in fewer side-effects than antidepressant medication.
As noted in this article from Daily CBD Mag, anxiety and depression commonly occur together and people with one or more are likely to have the other. Research has shown that CBD does appear to help with both. Research has shown that CBD does appear to help with both. Some studies in humans show that CBD may be useful for panic disorder anxiety and depression, all of which may have a link to lose serotonin.
According to research panic disorder affects approximately 5% of the worldwide population and causes recurring and unexpected panic attacks. In human trials, a single dose of 300 mg of CBD caused a significant decrease in anxiety levels after simulated public speaking tests. Another study found that 600 mg of CBD caused a notable reduction of anxiety measures in people who suffer from a social anxiety disorder.
According to more recent research when people suffer from depression in a specific region of the brain can atrophy and even shrink. This part of the brain is known as the hippocampus and it is responsible for memory learning and emotion. Fortunately, this part of the brain is also capable of recovering and can grow new neurons and form new connections through a process called neurogenesis or neural regeneration.
CBD has also been observed to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampus while simultaneously reducing depressive symptoms. CBD also activates a type of serotonin receptor 5 HT one year which controls a variety of other neurotransmitters shown to increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
Studies have shown that the major reason that CBD works for seizures is that it protects neurons in the hippocampus. Scientists think that CBD could regenerate or protect the hippocampus through the following ways – endocannabinoids are used throughout the brain and body to help regulate appetite, memory, inflammation, and more. CBD’s impact on the endocannabinoids system is complex, and it appears to increase the brain’s natural levels of endocannabinoids.
CBD also activates a type of serotonin receptor (5-HT1A) which controls a variety of other neurotransmitters soon to increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus. CBD also binds to receptor PPAR which tells D I need to start manufacturing anti-inflammatory and neuron protecting compounds. CBD also binds to receptor PPAR which tells the need to start manufacturing anti-inflammatory and neuron protecting compounds.
While it is one thing to prove that CBT helps grow and protect neurons proving it can be useful for treating a disease as complex as depression will be difficult and needs a lot more research and study. Although large-scale human trials have not completely taken off as yet, a lot of preliminary evidence looks promising.
CBD is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for a range of health issues and if you’re interested in trying it you should talk with your healthcare provider. While studies show the compound is generally safe it may interact with other medications that you might be using. Please review the medications and other supplements you’re taking with your medical practitioner before you begin using the CBD.
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